PHOTO: Matthew Goldstein and his daughter, Valerie, were actors with the Newton Theatre Company. Courtesy Photos
The Newton Theatre Company will have a special performance this spring at the Hyde Community Center paying tribute to the Goldstein family—Matthew Goldstein, his wife Lyla and their two daughters, Valerie and Violet—who died last week from carbon monoxide poisoning in a house in New Hampshire.
Matthew and daughter Valerie were actors with the tight-knit theatre group.
“To honor Matt, Valerie, Lyla and Violet, Newton Theatre Company will be hosting a special Monologue Project this spring in partnership with the Hyde Bandshell,” NTC Artistic Director Melissa Bernstein wrote in a message to the NTC community. “The Monologue Project will celebrate the lives of these four incredible friends with stories, songs and memories.”
Matthew Goldstein, a beloved longtime teacher in Brookline, was one of the original members of the NTC, Bernstein noted, delivering memorable performances in It’s a Wonderful Life, The Imaginary Invalid, The Importance of Being Earnest and many more productions over the years.
“He had a terrific dry sense of humor and always brought such joy to each production,” Bernstein wrote. “Matt was the coolest Odysseus ever as well as a debonaire butler.”
Valerie Goldstein, who was 22, followed in her father’s thespian footprints at an early age, joining NTC through its youth program when she was in elementary school.
“She was in nine musicals with the group!” Bernstein wrote. “Val was one of six amazingly talented middle school students I directed in a special production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. She was the kindest, most adorable Snoopy there could be, and beloved by her castmates.”
Valerie was going to celebrate her birthday on Friday, but instead her loved ones gathered for her memorial.
Her mother and sister, though not actors themselves, enjoyed being part of the NTC family.
“Lyla and Violet were always there with enthusiastic support, cheering Matt and Valerie on and enjoying every moment,” Bernstein wrote.
Anyone who would like to participate in the Monologue Project honoring the Goldsteins should email Bernstein at melissa@newtontheatrecompany.com.